Device for controlling combination-locks for desks.



No; 632,454. Patented Sept. 5, I899.

J. P. FANGEL. DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING COMBINATION LOCKS FUR DESKS.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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IN'VENTOR A fro/m5 Y,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEQ JOHN P. FANGEL, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING COMBINATION-LOCKS FOR DESKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,454, dated September 5, 1899.

Application filed October 15, 1398. Serial No. 693,582. (No model.)

'1'!) (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN P. FANGEL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devicesfor Controlling Combination-Locks of Desks,of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a device for controlling combination-locks of desks; and the object thereof is to provide a simple and inexpensive device of this character by the use of which the drawers in the pedestals of fiat or roll top desks may be opened without necessitating the lifting of the curtain of a rolltop desk or withdrawing the upper drawer of a flat-top desk.

Both flat-top and roll-top desks are usually provided with what is termed a combination-lock which is adapted to lock all the drawers in'the pedestals of the desk at once. As desks are usually constructed this locking device is operated automatically by the closing of the upper drawer in fiat-top desks or the lowering of the curtain in roll-top desks. To open the drawers in the pedestals ofa rolltop desk, it is necessary to first unlock and raise the curtain thereof. It sometimes happens that free access to the drawers is desirable without raising the curtain of the desk. In flat-top desks the combination-lock is operated by the upper drawer, which is locked by means of an ordinary lock and key. If it is desired to withdraw the second or third drawer from the pedestal, it is first necessary to pull the upper drawer out until the combination-lock is released and then push it in again before access can be had to the drawer immediately below it. This must be done each time that it is found necessary to obtain access to the lower drawers of the pedestal.

This invention, which will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the annexed claims, is adapted to obviate these defects.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a section of a flat-top desk, partly broken away; and Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the same.

In applying my device I employ a bracket 1, of metal, wood, or any other suitable material, which is adaptcd to be fastened to the side wall 2 of the upper drawer by means of one or more screws 3. This bracket has a flat-face 5, projected at right angles to the portion secured to the side of the drawer, and upon the upper face thereof is mounted a vertical pin 6.

A lever 7, preferably of wood and slightly bent at the point of contact with the pin 6, is provided with a suitable hole adapted to fit loosely over the pin 6,so that the said lever may rock laterally thereon. The rear end S of said lever is adapted to slide laterally in a slot 9, cut in the rear wall of the drawer adjacent to the side wall to which the bracket 1 is attached. This slot 9 is of sufficient length to permit the lever to be thrown parallel to the side wall of the drawer and out of engagement with the spur 10, fixed to the upper end of the combination-post 11, and to allow it to be thrown in engagement with said spur.

The combination-post 11 is adapted to reciprocate verticallyin a suitable hole 12 in the cross-bar13. The construction of this part of the device is the same as that now in use, the post being provided with a number of hooks 15, corresponding with the number of drawers in the pedestal.

The forward under edge of the spur 10 is beveled, as at 16, the object being to raise the combination-post 11 by means of the spur when the upper drawer is pushed in with the rocking lever in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 2.

To operate the device, all the drawers being locked, the upper drawer is unlocked and pulled outward. The rocking lever is then thrown into position shown by full lines in Fig. 2 and the drawer again pushed back in position. This action raises the combinationpost 11, carrying the hooks 15, and releases all the lower drawers, which may be withdrawn separately or together, as desired. By throwing the lever to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 the rear portion of the lever lies parallel to the side wall of the drawer and clear of the spur 10. The locking device then acts automatically and locks all the drawers in the pedestal except the upper one.

Obviously a sliding bar or other mechanical said combination-post in an elevated position,

substantially as described.

2. In a locking device for the drawers of desks, the combination of a vertically-slidable combination-post, a series of hooks fixed to said post and adapted to engage with the drawers other than the master-drawer, a beveled spur fixed to said post, a master-drawer, a rocking lever carried by and within said master-drawer and adapted for retaining said combination-post in elevated position, substantially as described.

3. In a locking device for the drawers of desks, the combination of a drawer provided with the slot 9 in its rear wall, the bracket 1 fixed to said drawer, the rocking lever 7 pivoted to said bracket, the vertically-slidable combination-post 11 and the beveled spur 10 fixed to said post, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in pres ence of two witnesses, this 14th day of October, 1898.

JOHN P. FANGEL.

Witnesses:

SYDNEY I. PRESCOTT, E. TIBBITS. 

